and to educate future generations through a stateof-the-art cultural institution based here in St. Johns County,” she said.
The initial term of the lease is two years. At the conclusion of the initial term and provided the county has secured sufficient state funding to proceed with the design and construction of the museum, the county will have the right to enter into a long-term renewal of this lease for an initial 30-year term, with up to three successive 30-year renewal terms, according to the release. The county will pay the FMUF $ 1,000 monthly rent during the initial term. At least ninety 90 days before the expiration of the initial term, the county and FMUF have agreed to meet in good faith to review and renegotiate the rent. Considerations will include the status of State funding commitments for the museum, the progress of feasibility studies, environmental assessments, and design concepts completed, and any other relevant project developments, the release states.
“ At this stage, the museum project remains in the planning and coordination phase,” Andrews said.“ The state committed $ 1 million in planning and conceptual design for this fiscal year. The lease agreement will enable the county to continue advancing the design, fundraising and implementation processes.”
Andrews said the next steps include continued collaboration between the county and the FMU Foundation as well as the State of Florida as the museum concept is refined.
“ In the meantime, we will continue to advocate the state legislators to further the investment into phase II deign and position St. Johns County for the eventual construction and programming phase,” she said.
Aaron London is Editor, EVOLVE News. He is also an adjunct professor of journalism at Daytona State College.
VOLUME II 2025 | 31 |